US2923487A

US2923487A - Multiple unit mat winding machine

Info

Publication number: US2923487A
Application number: US631759A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard G Wands; Alexander L Mcpherson
Original assignee: Gustin Bacon Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Gustin Bacon Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1956-12-31
Filing date: 1956-12-31
Publication date: 1960-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 1977-02-02

Description

Feb.. 2,.1960 H, G,WANDS ETAL v 2,923,487

MULTIPLE UNIT MAT WINDING 'MACHINE Filed DeC. 3l, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 1` w o o M o O y lNvENToRS y: 4 :i M I| H Wu is f :is se l miv `A ORNEY Feb. 2, 1960 H. G. wANDs r-:TAL

MULTIPLE UNIT MAT wINnING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 31, 1956 Feb. 2, 1960 H. G. wANDs ETAL MULTIPLE UNIT MAT wINDING MACHINE Filed Dc. 31, 195s 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 www n THPSN NC .\R EL WL DD Mmm wx om H4 a m w /07 w Feb. 2, 1960 H. G. wANDs ETAL 2,923,487

MULTIPLE UNIT MAT WINDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1956 e sheets-sheet 4 I I 7 lNvENToRs Hou/HRD 6. WHA/05 msx/mga@ L. Mr PHL-'eso/V MLSQMIM,

TTQRNEY I Feb. 2, 1960 H. G. wANDs ETAL MULTIPLE UNIT MAT WINDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 31, 1956 Feb. 2, 1960 Filed Dec. 31, 1956 H. G. WANDS ET AL MULTIPLE UNIT MA'l` WINDING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORS Ho wenn 6. HLEXg/{VDE ORNEY United States Patent MULTIPLE UNIT MAT WINDING MACHINE Howard G. Wands, Kansas City, M0., and Alexander L. McPherson, Prairie Village, Kans., assignors to Gustin- Bacon Manufacturing Co., Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Application December 31, 1956, Serial No. 631,759

20 Claims. (Cl. 242'55.1)

' Our invention relates to a multiple unit mat winding machine and more particularly to an improved automaticallyindexing multiple unit vmachine for winding lengths of a mat or bat of fibers about mandrels.

The copending application of Joseph F. Stephens, Serial No. 425,837, now Patent No. 2,880,943, discloses an automatic mat winding machine having a single, stationary winding unit adapted to receive an empty mandrel, to wrap a length of a mat of fibrous material about the mandrel and to discharge the wrapped mandrel. While this machine has a high rate of production, its output is limited by the time Yrequired to discharge a wrapped mandrel from the unit, to feed a new mandrel to the unit and to manipulate the unit to winding position before the next winding operation is begun.

The copending application of Joseph F. Stephens, Serial No.v 482,566, now Patent No. 2,82l,347, discloses an indexing m-at winding machine includinga plurality of respective independent mat winding units each comprising a wrapping belt and its associated manipulating mechanism. The units in the machine disclosed in application Serial No. 482,566 are carried by areel adapted to be stepped in rotation through successive respective positions where an empty mandrel is fed to a winding unit, where a length of mat fed to the unit is wrapped around the empty mandrel, where the wrapped mandrel is discharged from the unit and back to the empty mandrel feed station. In this machine a feeding operation, a winding operation, and a wrapped mandrel discharge operation concomitantly take place at each of the respective stations at which a respective winding unit is disposed.

While the indexing machine described in the said copending application Serial No. 482,566 operates satisfactorily in most instances, we have found that the reel has a tendency to overrun owing to its rotary movement through the successive stations of the machine. It will be appreciated that if the reel overruns at the end of a step of rotation, the machine must be stopped and the reel must be properly positioned before the Lneandrel feeding, winding, and discharge operations can gm.v

We have invented a multiple unit mat winding machine which represents an improvement over the machines disclosed in the said copending applications. OurV machine has a higher rate of production than the machine disclosed in the copending application Serial No. 425,837 since an empty mandrel feed-operation and a wrapping operation are simultaneously performed. Our improved machine is so constructed that it does not have the tendency to overrun of the machine disclosed in application Serial No. 482,566. As has been pointed out hereinabove, the machine described in application Serial No. 482,566 includes a plurality of respective independent mat winding units, each of which units comprises an independent belt and associated tensioning means. Our improved multiple unit machine employs a single wrapping belt which is common to the winding units. Our machine is simpler the winding rolls of both units.

il ice in construction than multiple unit machines of the prior art.

One object of our invention is to provide a multiple unit mat winding machine which has a `high rate of production.

Another object of our invention is to provide a multiple unit mat winding machine having little or no tendency to overrun the stations at which operations are performed.

A further object of our invention is to provide a multiple unit mat winding machine which is simpler in construction than multiple unit machines of the prior art.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a multiple unit mat winding machine, the operation of which is mo-re certain than that of multiple unit machines of the prior art.

Other and further objects of our invention will pear from thel following description.

in general our invention contemplates the provision stationarily mounted crankshaft and a reel p osi.ioned eccentrically with respect to the crankshaft. Each of a pair of mat winding units has a pair of winding rolls. First pairs of arms pivotally carried by the crankshaft rotatably support the respective winding rolls. Second pairs of arms rotatably support'the respectivewinding .rolls on o-ne or the other of a pair of respective- Piyot shafts carried by the reel. The crankshaft is `common to both units while a respective pivot shaft is associated with each unit. A common wrapping belt passes over all We provide means for oscillating the reel between limit positions.l As the reel moves from one limit position to the other, the

pivot shaft of one unit moves with respect to the crankshaft to drive the unit arms to form a pocket of a portion of the belt about a mandrel carried by the reel. At the same time, the pivot shaft of the other unit moves to drive the other arms to extend a portion of the belt between the winding rolls of the other unit. We provide means for driving the belt to wrap a lengthrof mat fed tothe machine around the mandrel about which the pocket is formed.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the instant specification and which are to be read in conjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are winding. machine with parts broken away. v

Figure 2 is a sectional view of our multiple unit mat winding machine taken along the line 2 2 of Figure l1.

Figure 3 is an elevation of our multiple unit mat winding machine with a part broken away taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is an elevation of our multiple .unit matfwinding machine with parts broken `away taken along the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of our multiple yunit mat winding machine showing the reel d rive.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of our multiple unit mat winding machine showing the reel drive.

Figure A7 is a fragmentary view of our multiple unit mat winding machine showing the reel hydraulic stops.

Figure 8 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the mat winding units of our multiple unit mat winding machine. Y

`Figure 9 is a fragmentary view of our multiple unit mat winding machine showing the mandrel mounting means.

'Figure l0 is a schematic view of one form of electrical circuit which may be employed to 'control our matwinding machine. Y

More particularly referring now to Figures 1 to` 4 of the drawings, our machine includes a base frame, indicated generally by the reference character 10, including 3 a back 12, Va front 14 and respective sides 16 and 18. A number of casters 20 support our machine for movement to the location atwhich the machine is to be installed. Respective pairs of rollers 22 and24 pivotally carried by the

frame members

12 and 14 support the eelfindiated generally by the reference `character 26,

of our-'mat winding machine. Reel -26 has respective sides `O and 30 joined by struts 32 which complete the reel.V Bespective bearings 34 and 36'Vcarried by supporting stands 38 and 40 on the frame sides 16 and 18 rotatably `support a crankshaft 42 011l the frame 10.

sides

28 and 30 of reel 26, support winding roll 48 in bearv ingsl 54 on the ends of arms 52 remote from shaft 42. A s econd pair of arms 56, pivotally carried by shaft 42 adjacent the

respective sides

28 and 30, support winding roll 510 in bearings 58 carried by the ends of arms 56 remote from shaft 42. A second pair of respective arms 60 are pivotallyY carried by a shaft 62 xedly supported in blocks 64 in the

respective sides

28 and 30 of the reel-26.

The ends of arms 60 remote from shaft 62 carry bearings 66 which support roll 48.

onA shaft 62. Bearings 7i) carried by the ends of arms 68 remote from shaft 62 rotatably support roll 50. From theV foregoing it willbe seen that the pairs of

arms

52 and 56 support the

respective rolls

48 and 50 for movement about crankshaft 42 while the respective pairs of

arms

60 and 68 support rolls 48 and 50 for movement about thepivot shaft 62.

Each of the

units

44 and 46 includes a pair of respective idler rolls 72 and 74 pivotally carried by any convenient means such as bearings or the like in the

sides

28 and 30 of reel 26. The wrapping belt 76 of ourmachine is common to both

units

44 and 46 and passes over the Wrapping rolls and idler rolls of both units. We provide respective tensioning rolls 78 and 80 for regulating the ten- We pivotally mount a second pair of respective arms 68 sion on belt 74. We pivotallyl mount the tensioning roll 78 on the ends of a pair of respective arms 82 pivotally carried on braces 84 in the

respective sides

28 and 30 of the reel 26. Each of the arms 82 carries a counterweight 86 on its end remote from the Vroll 78. The weights 86 normally urge roll 78 to move in a clockwise direction about the pivotv'points of arms 82 as viewed in ifigure 2. Pneumatie cylinders 88 pivotally carried by the reel are adapted to be supplied with iluid under pressure to actuate piston rods 90 pivotally connected to arms 8-2 by any convenient means such as pins 92. The arrangement of cylinders 88 is such that when iluid under pressure istsupplied to the cylinders, piston rods 90 urge arms 82 to move in a counterclockwise direction about their pivots 4against the action of weights 86. In this manner, we force the tensioning roll 78 against the surface of belt 76 properly to tension the belt. Tensioning roll 80 is supported between respective arms 94pivotally carried on braces Y96 in the

respective sides

28 and 30. Cylinders 98 pivotally cai-ried Y by

sides

28 and 30 drive rods 100 pivotally connected to Aarms 94 to-urge roll 80 inwardly of reel 26 against the action of counterweights 102 ycarried by arms 94 tortension belt 76.`

As can be seen by reference to Figure 2, in the condition of our machine shown, the wrapping rolls 48 and 50 of winding unit 44 are disposed to forma pocket of belt 76 about a mandrel 104 carried by the reel 2'6 in a manner tobe described hereinafter. At the same time, the `wrap-V `.ping rolls 48 and 50 of the unit 46 are separated to extend a length of the belt 76 between the rolls. -We provide means for oscillating reel 26 to actuate the

arms

52 and 56 andthe

arms

60 and 68 `toV cause unit 44 tovmove `to the Vposition occupied'by` uniti 46 and to 'causennit 46 to move to the position occupied by unit 44. In the course of this movement, unit 46 forms a pocket of belt 76 about a mandrel fed to the reel in a manner to be describedand t unit 44 opens 'to permit a wrapped mandrel to be re-z moved from the reel.

Referring now to Figures v3,5 and 6, a base 106 secured Vt0 trame .19 by .any @lavement mean @ugh `as Welded braces 108 carries a'pair of rails '110`and 1142. Acarriage 114 provided with wheels 116 `rests on rai1s110 and 112.

We tix a cylinder 118 to the underside of carriage 114 by any convenient meansl such as welding ori` the like.` A

piston 120 disposed within cylinder 118 earries a rod 122` pivotally ccnnectegi by a pin 1.244 to a statigary levis .126 We connect a iirst roller-operated exhaust control valve 246 and a flow restricting device `250` `tol the exhaust port of a quick-exhaust valve 128 leading into cylinder 118 i 245 connects a solenoid operated valve `247 to` a suitable source (not shown) of uid under pressure. Respective 1

pipes

249 and 251 connect the outlet passagesof valve 247 to the respective inlet ports `of

valves

128 and 130. Valve v247 is adapted when actuated in a manner 4to be described to connect one of the

pipes

249 and 251 to the source of uid underpressure while blocking the other of the pipes.

Respective camftracks Y254 and 256 are mounted on carriage V114 by convenient means to actuate the rollers of

valves

246 and 248. t

The quick-exhaust valves 128 and13 0 serve as check valves or dellectorst in the exhaust system of the cylinder 118.- Inlet uidadmitted toieither of the valves 128 or 1-30 closes the valve exhaust port andows directly into Vcylinder 118. Exhaust airf leaving the cylinder 118 through one of the valves 128 `or 130 closes `the valve inlet port and exhausts either through the corresponding roller-operated

Avalve

246 or 248, if the last-named valve is open, or through the associated ilow restrictor 250 or It will be appreciated that, owing to the unsymmetrical disposition of the pocket-forming rolls of the respective

i winding units

44 and 46 ofthe machine `in most positions of reel 26, machine. It will further be apparent that this unbalance varies with thepositionof the reel in itsmovement between the two positions to which itis moved in successive operations.

this unbalance from v Cam tracks 254and 256 are so shapedas to actuate

valves

246 and 248 to accomplish this end.` The arrangement is such that, in one direction of movement ofthe reel 26, the

valve

24,6 or 2.48`connected to the side of cylinder 1-18 l from which fluid is being exhausted lisopened during the portions of the movement at which 4the unbalance is greatest.v In the Yarrangement shown, this unbalance is greatest in the region of the beginning and in the region of the end of movement of reel 26, in which regions the pocket-forming rollsy 48"and 50 of one of the units 46 and 44' are rnear pocket-forming position.

When reel 26 is to bemoved in a. counterclockwise direction,rvalve 247 Ais actuated `to supply fluid` to valve 130` to movecarriage 114 to the right as viewed in Figure 6.V The` uid system `operates. in the manner described hereinabove to `move the reel; When reel 26 is to be mov ld a clockwise direction, valve 247 is actuated to connect'valve 128 tothey source of iluid` underpressure.

We secure a rack 182 to theupper surface of carriage 114 by any convenient m'eans such as welding or the like.

I Rack 132 engages a pinion 134 carriedby4 a shaft 136 for rotation with it. A bearing 138 carried bythe frame 10rotatablysupports shaft 136. The end .nf shaft A136 a certain amount of unbalance exists in the We employ the` cam voperated valves `246 i and 248 to control the exhaust of cylinder 118 to prevent disrupting the machine operation.`

.ders 150 and 152. v172 in pipe 170. When reel 26 approaches the end of remote from pinion 134 carries a sprocket wheel 140 adapted to drive a chain 142. Chain 142 passes around a sprocket wheel 144 carried by side 30 of reel 26. As carriage 114 is driven to the position shown in Figure 6, sprocket wheel 140 drives chain 142 to rotate reel 26. As the reel rotates in a counterclockwise direction as shown in the drawings, the respective pivot shafts ofthe

units

44 and 46 move with respect to the crankshaft 42 to drive the

respective arms

52 and 56 and

arms

60 and 68 to cause unit 44 to open its pocket and to cause unit 46 to closebelt 76 about a mandrel.

We provide means for limiting the movement of our reel 26 in either direction under the intiuence of carriage 114. Referring more particularly to Figures 4 and 7,

vmember 18 supports a pair of spaced

brackets

146 and 148 which carry respective

hydraulic cylinders

150 and 152. Piston rods 154 and 156 associated with the

cylinders

150 and 152 are connected by a link 158. We pivotally mount an arm 160 on a pin 162 carried by a bracket 164 supported on brackets `146 and 148. The side 28 of reel 26 carries a pair of substantially diametrically oppositely disposed pins 166 adapted to engage a pin 168 carried by an end of the lever arm 160. In one direction of movement of reel 26, one pin 166 engages pin 168 to urge lever 160 to move in a counterclockwise direction about its pivot pin 162. In the other direction of move- -ment of reel 26, the other pin 166 engages pin 168 to move lever 160 in a clockwiseY direction. We dispose :the end of lever 160 remote from pin 168 in a slot in link 158. A fluid pipe 170 connects the interiors of the cylin- We dispose a iiow restricting valve its movement in one direction to urge lever 160 in a counterclockwise direction, the lever'urges rod 156 to the right as viewed in Figure 7 to force uid from cylinder 152, through valve 172 and into cylinder 150. Owing to the connection between rods 154 and 156 provided by the link 158, as rod 156 is driven to the right as viewed in Figure 7 rod 154 is also moved to the rightto permit entry of uid into cylinder 150. It will be seen that we have provided a hydraulic stop including a closed hydraulic system having a flow restricting valve through which fluid is forced from one cylinder to another. This hydraulic stop limits the movement of reel 26 in either direction of rotation of the reel under the inuence of carriage 114,

Referring now to Figures 2 and 9, a supply of mandrels 174, about which lengths of a mat of insulating material are to be wrapped, are contained in a magazine 176 supported in any convenient manner. with a pair of mandrel support means for each of the winding

units

44 and 46. One of these units includes a pairof

live centers

178 and 180 anda pair of respective V blocks 182 and 184 carried by the respective reel sides 28 and 30. A spring 186 normally urges center 180 to the left as viewed in Figure 9 to engage the hollow mandrel shaft 188. The other live center 178 is adapted to be actuated by an air cylinder 190 alternately supplied with fluid under pressure or connected to the atmosphere by a control valve 192. In loading a mandrel on the reel 26 the machine operator places the mandrel shaft 188 in V blocks 182 and 184 between

centers

178 and 180. He then actuates valve 192 to connect cyl-V inder 190to a source of uid under pressure to force center 178 to the right as viewed in Figure 9 properly to position the mandrel 174 and to hold the mandrel in position for winding. It is to be understood that a mandrel support means including a pair of

centers

178 and 180 is associated with each of the winding

units

44 and 46 carried by reel 26. v

Referring now to Figures 4 and 8, a framework, indicated generally by the reference character 194 supports a motor 196 which drives a shaft 198. V belts 200 driven by shaft 198 drive the input shaft 202 of Aa gear boxv 204.

The output shaft 206,'of gear boxv204 carries for rotation'l Reel 26 is provided` with it a sprocket wheel 208 which drives a .chain 210, Chain 210 drives a sprocket wheel 212 carried by a power sleeve rotatably supported on crankshaft 42. Sleeve 213 also carries for rotation with it a sprocket wheel 214 which drives a chain 216. Respective

idler sprocket wheels

218 and 220 rotatably carried on the arm '52 of unit 44 guide 4chain 216 to a sprocket wheel 222 carried by the driving member of a cam clutch 224, the driven member of which is fixed on the shaft of winding roll 48 of unit 44 for rotation with it. As the sleeve 213 rotates, it drives roll 48 through the medium of chain 216. `An'- other sprocket wheel 226 fixed on sleeve 213 forrrot'ation with it, drives the chain 228 which is guided byr respective sprocket Wheels 230 and 232 rotatably supported on the arm 52 of unit 46 to a sprocket wheel 234 carried by the driving member of a cam clutch 236, the driven member of which is fixed on the shaft of wrapping roll 48 of unit 46 Vfor rotation with it. p From the foregoing it will be seen that as sleeve 213 is driven,

sprocket wheels

214 and 226 drive the respective wrapping rolls 48 through the medium of chains 216 and 228 to drive the belt 76 associated with lthe winding units. It is to be understood that cam clutches 224y and 236 permit the winding rolls to free-wheel as the reel 26 is oscillated between its two positions while permitting chains 216 and 228 to be driven during a'winding operation. Itis to be understood that we may, if desired, drive rolls 50 of the

units

44 and 46, rather than the rolls 48. In the condition of our machine shown in Figure 2, unit 44 is disposed to form a pocket of belt 76 about a mandrel 104 to be wrapped. Unit 46 is positioned topermit la wrapped mandrel to be removed from its

centers

178 and 180 and to permita fresh mandrel to be loaded on the centers. A mat conveyor, indicated generally by the reference character 238, is driven in a manner known to the art in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2 to advance a length 240 of a mat or bat of fibrousl material to the nip between belt 76 and the underside of mandrel 104. The belt wraps -the length 240 around the mandrel 104. The tensioning rolls 78 and 80 'permit the pocket of the belt about a mandrel 104 to expand to permit this winding. A wrapped mandrel carried by the mandrel supports associated with unit 46 is removed by the machine operator and placed on a discharge conveyor indicated generally by the reference character 242. Conveyor 242 conveys the wrapped mandrel away from the machine in the direction of the arrow shown abovethe conveyor in Figure 2.

Referring now to Figure 10, one form of electrical con- Y v relay winding PR between conductors 262 and 264. The

light source 270 and photocell 272 are disposed on opposite sides of the machine in the path of a length of material being fed to the machine.

Respective receptacles

274 and 276 adapted to carry the light source and photocell can be seen by reference to Figures 3 and 4. Before a length of material being fed enters between light source 270`and photocell 272 the photocelll Vconducts with the result vthat relay winding PR is energized. We connect a normally elo-sed switch PR-l in series With an automatic timer clutch TC between conductors 262 and 2-64. Switch PR-l is shown in its open position in Figure 10, which position corresponds to the condition of the apparatus in which no lenght of material interrupts the light beam from source 270. When a length of material interrupts the beam from source 270,' tube 272 isV nonconductive and relay winding PR is deenergized to permit switch PR-l to close to complete the circuit of clutch TC.

p We connect an automatic timer motor TM and a nor-l and 264 con# "as its leading edge emerges ing( switch, zTDR-z.,

switch.` The p osition of this switch is positionfof the machine.` is closed and switch 3LS-2` is open. In the other; position et themnehine. the switch LSrl is nnen and svritelnl SLS-l2 is closed.`

lnally'closed switch TM-la'ssociated with rrlotor TMin series between conductor 262 and a conductor'278connested to theA common terminal of clutch 'IC'and switch ll- L We connect a normally open switch'lfM-Z in series with' the Winding tweenconductors 262 `and 264. normallyopen switch associated with winding ITDR isconnectcd in series a limit switch 11S between conductoi 278 anrleendnsiter 264- l Our control circuit includes a iirst selector switch indiated Vg nerally by the reference character 280 includin manual, ofand automatic position contacts, We 'connect thefcontact arm n wrap up air solenoid 284'to the conductor 264. We connectethe manual contact of switch 280 in series with a footswitch BB1` to conductor 262. A normally closed 'switch 1'1`DR-n2` associated with winding 1 TDR, a nor-A mally open" switch PR-2 associated with Ywinding PR and the windingZr'fDRof alsecond time delay relay are connected in series between the automatic contact of switch 2 80'and conductor 264.

Switch

2,80 is shown inFigure l inthe position corresponding to` automatic operation of our machine. A conductor 286 connects the common terminal of switch "lM-Z and winding ITDR to Vthe com rnonterrninal of switch 1'l`l )R-2 and switch PR-Z, Winding 2,84 is enipleyetl. le eenlrel niet 0r iets etait directed between lli. Snrfneeef a mandrel bee inawrepperl and. tl1 e wrnp1 insbelt 20, el our, machine le prtent the material being' fed. freni elinsins te the belt e from the upper nip between the mandrel and the belt in the course of a wrapping operationV The apparatus ferr performing this Operation isdiselnsed inthe eopending application, Serial No. 482,- 569,Y now abandoned, tiled January V1,8, 1955, by Joseph F. Srephens, for aV Pneumati Stripp Machines. As is shown in Figures 2 and 3, thisapparatus includes a manifold 285 supplied with air under pressure trein a. pipe 287 lgl'operated by thesolenoid'284. Manifold 285 sup. plies `a nnmber of pipes 291 provided with nozzles 2.93 for directing jets of air` against at the point at which theY leading edge of a length of material being wrapped emerseelirenl the Peekel, formed between belt20.

Cnr contrel eirenit indicated generally by manual, ofi and automatic position Ycontacts the reference character'lZSS, having and a switch series with a limit switch 2VLSY and a safety SV `tfo the conductor 262. We connect the' autoarrn L29-adapted. t9 engage the C Onlaetsf We ennneel switch ,contact of switch 288 in series withra normally witch 2l`DR-1, `a limit switch 3LS-1 and a convalve solenoid winding 292. A series'circuit includtri winding 29,4 is connected in parallel with theY crcuitinclucling` switch ZTDR-l, switch SLS-1, and windingj292. A ushbutton switch PE2 includes two sets of contacts,

hfsetsareconnected between the manual position Contact of

switch

2,88 and the respective switches SLS-1 DdSLS-Z.

Asf'can he seen ,by reference to Figure 4, limit switch lL-Sgisfc'arried by the machine frame and is adapted t0 be actuatedy by a cam 2 96 on the reel at the midpoint in the,- machine index cycle.` As can bej seen by reference to Figure l, limit ,switchH ZLS also is carried by the machinelxframe'and is actuated by an arm or the like Y carried by alive center as a mandrel is loaded. on the reel. lt prevents indexing of the machine unless a mandrel has been loaded on the machine. Limit switches SLSf-l: and' SLS-2 form part of a single-pole double-throw determined by the In one position switch SLS-1 The position of' switch 31A-LS as well lTDR of a'tirne delay relay be er for Mat Winding through the. medium of a valve includes a second selecting` switch,

limit switch SLS-2 and a relayV 282 of switch'280 in `series with the surface ofb'elt 2 0 intervals.

V247V to. supply fluid under pressure new mandrel may be placed on the reel'.

as the location of switchS maybe seen by, reference to Figure 3;

In operation of our mat winding machine with reel 26 in a position at which unit 44 forms a pocket of the belt 76 about an empty mandrel to `be wrapped and wherein unit 46 extends a lengthof the belt between its rolls 48 andV 50, a length 240 of mat is fed to the nip between the beltV and the mandrel 104 being wrapped. With switches 280 and 283 of our control circuit inautomatic position, as the light beam from source 270 is interrupted winding PR is deenergized and contacts PR- l close to energize clutch TC and to activate timer motor TM. After a predetermined time the motor opens switch Mfl to deenergize the motor TM. Atthe same time` switch rITM-2 closes to complete the circuit of winding TDR and to complete the circuit ofthe air solenoid winding 284 through conductor 286, through switch lTDRl-Z and through arm above the Isolenoid winding be directed against the belt 76 to beingpwound from sticking to the belt 76.

After a predetermined time winding ITDR closes switch lTDR-l and opens switch 1TDR-2. Closing of switch lTDR-l completes the holding circuit of the automatic timer clutch. *The completion of this circuit layed` to prevent unwanted cycling off the machine if the light beam to the photocell is momentarily interrupted. The opening of switch 1 TDR-2 breaksfthe'circuit of solenoid 284 to cut off the air jet to the winding unit.

When the lightbeam is again established at the end of the winding operation switch PR--Z` closes 'and the circuit of winding ZTDR is complete. After a time interval l winding 2TDR closes it associated switches 2TD R1 and 2TDR-2 to` energize either the forward index winding 292 or the reverse index winding 294. Switches 2TDR-1 and 2TDR-2 are set for different time Two different intervals are provided to control the indexing in a forward and in a reverse direction. In the conditionof the limit switchSLS shown in Figure 10 the forward winding 292 is conditioned `to be energized. Upon energization, winding 292` activates `valve `to cylinder 118 to index reel 26in theforward direction. l i

Assuming a counterclockwise rotation of `reel 26, as viewed in Figure 6, to correspond to a forward index the energized .solenoid winding v292 actuates valve 247 to supply'uidto pipe 251 to drive carriage 114 to the right as viewed in Figure `6. As the carriage moves rack 132 drives pinion 134 to cause reel 26 to `rotate in a counter-` clockwise direction. Flow restrictors-250 and 252 control thespeed of` rotation, while roller-operated valves 246 `and 248 c ontrolthe exhaust of thecylinder `118 in the the automatic timer clutch to perrrntthe vcontrols tolrcset to their initial positions.` `That is, when 1LS` opens, the

clutch TC is deenergized to permitL TM1 and `TM-2 to be reset by a spring or the like (not shown) to deenergize ITDR and 2TDR. l l f As the reel 26 approachesthe end of itsv indexing movement in one direction switch SLS is reversed toesetthe machine to index in a reverse direction from the direction of indexing iust completed. l Y

When `the reel reaches its: nal position'the` hydraulic stop including cylinders` and 152 stops the reel. n

In the course of an indexing movement of reel 26 from the position shown in Figure 2 unit 44 moves to the position formerly occupied by unit 46. l At the same time it extends ai length of belt between its rolls 48 and `50to` permit removalv of themandrel-whichwas just wrapped.

Almas-.the

282. As is explained herein-` 284 causes an air blast to prevent `a length of mat is dev limit switch ILS to. open 4the switch and interrupt` the seal-,in circuit"` of i Yieel'inel'lc-.xes unit'46 moves to the position formerlyfoccupied by unit 44,and` formsja pocket/of 'a length of the belt about an emptyv mandrel." The machine is now ready for the next winding operation;

Manual operation of our machine may be`accomplished merely by engaging

arms

282 and 290 ofswitches 280 and 288 with the manual, vswitch contacts. AWith this set-up the foot switch PB1 controls the jet of air to the belt and PBZ controls indexing.-

' It will be seen that -we have accomplished the objects of our invention. We have provided a multiple unit mat winding machine which has little or notendency to overrun the stations at1which operations `are performed. Our

machineis simpler in construction than winding machines of the prior art. 'The operation of our machine is more certain than that of machines of the prior art.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of our claims. It is further Obvious that various changes may be made in details within the scope of our claims without departing from the spirit of our invention. It is therefore to be understood that our invention is not to be limited to the specific details shown and described.

Having thus described our invention, whatwe claim is:

1. A multiple unit mat winding machine for wrapping lengths of fibrous material about mandrels including in combination a frame, a reel, means mounting said reel for oscillatory movement on said frame, a crankshaft, means mounting said crankshaft on said frame eccentrically with respect to the axis of said reel, a Winding unit comprising a pair of winding r'olls and a belt carried by said rolls, respective means for swngably supporting said winding rolls on said crankshaft for movement about the axis of the crankshaft, respective means for swngably supporting said winding rolls on said reel for movement about an axis spaced from said crankshaft axis and means for oscillating said reel on said frame between a first position at which said rolls form a pocket of said belt about a mandrel to be Wrapped and a second position at which said rolls extend a length of belt therebetween.

`2. A winding machine as in claim 1 in which said means for swngably supporting said winding rolls on said reel includes a shaft having an axis spaced from the axis of said crankshaft.

3. A winding machine as in claim 1 including means carried by said reel for supporting a mandrel during a winding operation.

4. A mat winding machine as in claim 1 in which the means for supporting the winding rolls on the crankshaft includes respective pairs of arms carried by the crankshaft.

5. A winding machine as in claim 1 including means for driving said belt.

6. A winding machine as in claim 1 including means comprising a slip clutch for driving said belt.

7. A winding machine as in claim 1 in which the means for oscillating the reel includes a rack, ya pinion adapted to be driven by said rack, and means for reciprocating said rack to oscillate said pinion.

8. A winding machine as in claim 1 including a hydraulic stop for limiting the movement of said reel in either direction of its oscillatory movement.

9. A multiple unit mat winding machine for wrapping lengths of fibrous material about mandrels including in combination a frame, a reel, means mounting said reel for oscillatory movement on said frame, a crankshaft, means mounting said crankshaft on said frame eccentrically with respect to the axis of said reel, a rst winding unit comprising a pair of winding rolls, a second winding unit comprising a pair of winding rolls, a wrapping belt common to said first and second winding units and carried by said winding rolls, respective means for swngably supporting said winding rolls for movement about the axis ofthe crankshaft, respective means vfor swingably'lsupporting the winding rolls of said first winding unit about second axis spaced from said crankshaft'axis andymeans` for oscillating said reel on said frame between a first position at which said rst unit winding rolls form a pocket of said belt about a mandrel to be wrapped and said second unit winding rolls extend a length of belt therebetween and a second position at which said second unit winding rolls form a pocket of said belt about a mandrel to .be wrapped and said first unit winding rolls extend a length of belt therebetween.

10. A winding machine as in claim 9 in which said crankshaft axis and said first and second axes lie in a common plane.

11. A winding machine as in claim 9 including means for tensioning said belt.

12. A winding machine as in claim 9 including automatic means for controlling the operation of said reel oscillating means.

13. In a multiple unit mat winding machine having a reel adapted to be oscillated between a first position and a second position, a reel drive comprising a reciprocating carriage, means including a piston and cylinder assembly adapted to be supplied with fluid under pressure for reciprocating said carriage, means for supplying uid under pressure to said cylinder alternately on one side and the other side of said piston to reciprocate said carriage, and means connecting said carriage to said reel to oscillate the reel as the carriage reciprocates.

14. A reel drive as in claim 13 including flow restricting means for regulating the speed of movement of said carriage. Y

15. A reel drive as in claim 13 including respective exhaust valves, means connecting the respective valves to said cylinder on opposite sides of said piston and means on said carriage for controlling the operation of said valves.

16. In a multiple unit mat winding machine having a reel adapted to be oscillated between a first position and a second position and a control member adapted to be actuated to initiate a reel movement in a forward direction and -in a reverse direction, a control circuit including an automatic timer, means responsive to the initiation of a winding operation for energizing said timer, a time delay relay, a circuit including said time delay relay and means responsive to the completion of a winding operation for energizing said relay, and means responsive to the operation of said time delay relay for actuating said control member.

17. A control circuit as in claim 16 in which said means for actuating said control member comprises means for actuating the member in a forward direction, means for actuating the member in a reverse direction and means responsive to the position of said reel for conditioning said forward actuating means to be energized when said reel is in said iirst position and for conditioning said reverse actuating means to be energized when said reel is in said second position.

18. A control circuit as in claim 16 including a holding circuit for said automatic timer and means responsive to a movement of said reel for interrupting said holding circuit.

19. In a multiple unit mat winding machine having a winding belt and means adapted to direct a blast of air against said belt, a control circuit including an automatic timer, means responsive to the initiation of a wind- Ving operation for energizing said timer, a time delay relay, a solenoid for activating said air blast means, means responsive to the operation of said timer for energizing said time delay relay and said solenoid and means responsive to the operation of said time delay relay for deenergizing the energized solenoid.

11 f 20x11; a .multiple'nnt met .Winding machine having a reel ,adapted to- 'be nscillnted between a first position and 4a second position and a control member adapted to be actuated to initiate va reel movement in a forward direction and inta lreversedirectiong a control circuit including an `automatic timer, 'means' responsive to `the `initiation Q f a Windingoperanon `for energizing ,Said timer, a first time delay relay, an .air blast Solenoid, means responsive A to the Operatinn of said timery for energizing said r'st delay relayfmeans `responsive `to the completion of a M -5 holding circuit, i

winding operating in; 'energizing seid seegntl `delay relayl me'ns responsive: @emigration Qfnadsennnsi relay for actuating said cnmri member and ealns fesponsive to movement "of said reel il?! 2,256,975 y f sepgxzs, 1945 2.663.512 v nec. 12, 1953 i 217421240 cervi-r Apr y FREIGN PATENTS l Great britain gg-g @ggg-June 7, .1.950